Spicy Macaroni Salad, Mexican Style, Medium

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Spicy Macaroni Salad, Mexican Style, Medium scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate (As Preservative)): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Prepared Salads, this product is more processed than about 43% of the 1,234 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Spicy Macaroni Salad, Mexican Style, Medium's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Natural PreservativesProcessing indicator

In this product: Cooked Elbow Pasta (Durum Wheat Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid).

Natural sources but industrial application.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil, Water, Egg Yolks, Mustard [Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seeds, Salt], Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Fructose, Salt, Spices, Calcium Disodium Edta [Added To Protect Flavor]).

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.